JP2007312932A - Case - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of a case capable of retaining warmth/cold. <P>SOLUTION: The case 1a is provided with a temperature control means that includes a heating resistor 13 or a heat-transfer element and with a storage element 12 inside a main body, wherein energization of the temperature control means is controlled by a control part 11a. Charging the storage element 12 by photovoltaic generation, electromagnetic induction, supersonic waves, microwaves or the like does not require a commercial power source, thereby providing a carriable/handy and repeatably useable case capable of warming (heating) or cold (cooling) of an object to be retained in any place anytime. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container that retains and cools contents, and particularly relates to a portable or portable container.

  Conventional containers capable of keeping warm include general electric pots and food warmers that operate with commercial power (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, as containers for keeping warm in places where commercial power is not available, such as outdoors, liquor containers with a bowl function using a chemical exothermic reaction are sold.

  On the other hand, as a container having a cold insulation function, a beer mug or the like in which a refrigerant is sealed inside the container and sufficiently cooled in a freezer or the like until immediately before being kept cold is known.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to keeping food / beverage cold and warm, and for example, a flower pot having a heat retaining function has been devised (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-5-317187 JP-A-5-316878

  However, with the conventional technology that uses commercial power, it has not been possible to keep warm in places where commercial power cannot be obtained, such as outdoors. In addition, in the configuration using commercial power, since the power is supplied by connecting directly with an outlet or the like, it is not possible to provide a waterproof structure that can clean the container.

  In addition, a sake container with a bowl function using a chemical exothermic reaction stores the energy required for heat insulation as chemical energy and can be used outdoors without any restrictions. However, since the above-mentioned chemical reaction is an irreversible reaction, it is a disposable type, and cannot be used repeatedly because it is not possible to stop the heat or adjust the temperature.

  Furthermore, the beer mug sealed with the refrigerant is used by cooling in advance, and it has not been possible to start the cold insulation or adjust the temperature when needed on the go.

  For this reason, with conventional technology, for example, when coffee that has been poured into a mug is actively kept warm, cold drinks are actively kept cold, reused repeatedly, or when going out for a picnic outdoors, It was not possible to achieve heat insulation and cold insulation effects only.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems in the prior art and to solve the problems, and is portable or portable, and the contents (contents) in the container can be used anytime and anywhere. A container that can be kept warm or cold, and can be reused repeatedly by supplementing power, and can be washed freely.In addition, if an object to be kept warm is placed in a container, it is too hot or too cold for a normal container. An object of the present invention is to provide a container that can be touched by hand even when the container cannot be touched by hand.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the container according to the invention of claim 1 includes a power storage means for storing power, and a temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the contents using the power stored in the power storage means. And energization control means for controlling energization to the temperature control means.

  A container according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the power storage means is chargeable and further comprises a charging means for charging the power storage means.

  A container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the container according to the second aspect, wherein the power storage means is a secondary battery and / or a capacitor.

  A container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the container according to the second or third aspect, wherein the charging means has a power receiving coil, and is generated in the power receiving coil by an AC magnetic field applied from a power feeding coil outside the container. The inductive power is charged in the power storage means.

  A container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the container according to the second or third aspect, wherein the charging means has a piezoelectric element, and converts ultrasonic vibrations from outside the container into electric power by the piezoelectric element. And charging the power storage means.

  A container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the container according to the second or third aspect, wherein the charging means includes a power generation element, and microwaves that are external from the container are converted into electric power by the power generation element. The power storage means is charged.

  A container according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the second or third aspect, the charging means is a solar cell, and the light hitting the container is converted into electric power to charge the power storage means. And

  A container according to an eighth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to the second or third aspect, the charging means is a fuel cell, and the generated electric power is charged in the power storage means.

  A container according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the container according to the second or third aspect, wherein the charging means is directly connected to an external power source to acquire power for charging the power storage means. .

  A container according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the container according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the temperature control means is a heat generating resistor or heat exchange between the container inner wall and the container outer wall. It is a heat exchange element which performs.

  The container according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the container according to the tenth aspect, wherein the heat exchange element can switch the direction of the heat exchange, and the energization control means further controls the direction of the heat exchange. It is characterized by doing.

  A container according to a twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention of the eleventh aspect, the heat exchange element is an element utilizing a Peltier effect.

  The container according to the invention of claim 13 further comprises a temperature acquisition means for acquiring the temperature of the contents in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the energization control means is the temperature. The energization is controlled using the temperature acquired by the acquisition means.

  A container according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the container according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, further comprising a heat insulating structure between a container inner wall and a container outer wall, wherein the heat insulating structure is the temperature control means. It is characterized in that the movement of heat other than the temperature control due to is suppressed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the container has a structure that is portable or portable by incorporating a power storage element, a control unit, and temperature control means inside, and a switch that can be operated by a user is mounted on the control unit. It has the effect of being able to obtain a sustainable container that exhibits a function of keeping warm and cool at any time and preventing unnecessary discharge.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 2, since the container uses a chargeable / dischargeable element for the storage element and the charging power is supplied from the outside, it can be reused anytime and anywhere without relying on the commercial power at the time of use. The effect that a simple container can be obtained is produced.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 3, since the container uses a secondary battery or a capacitor as the storage element to realize the function, there is an effect that the container can be obtained that can be repeatedly reused.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the container is applied to the coil by applying an alternating magnetic field from the outside of the container to the power receiving coil inside the container body, using the power feeding unit including the power feeding coil and the power feeding circuit. A container that generates alternating inductive power and charges the storage element with the inductive power. It looks like a normal container, and it can be washed or put off as a normal container. There is an effect that can be obtained.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the container converts the external ultrasonic wave into electric power by the piezoelectric element provided in the container, and charges the electric storage element appropriately by the charging circuit. During the cleaning, the storage element is charged at the same time, so that the container can be reused repeatedly, and at the same time, the charging power can be supplied and the container can be cleaned.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the container heats the contents in a microwave oven or the like, and at the same time generates detection power using a microwave power receiving element typified by rectina, and appropriately stores the power storage element by a charging circuit. It is something to charge. Thereby, while heating a target object with a microwave oven etc., an electrical storage element is charged simultaneously and there exists an effect that the container which enables repeated reuse can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the invention of claim 7, the container uses a solar cell, so that if the container is irradiated with light, charging power can be generated, the container can be used repeatedly, and can be cleaned. There exists an effect that a container can be obtained.

  In addition, according to the invention of claim 8, by using a fuel cell, the container can produce charging power when the container is irradiated with light, and a container that can be used repeatedly can be obtained. Play.

  Further, according to the ninth aspect of the invention, the container can be charged by being connected to an external power source, and an effect is obtained that a container that can be repeatedly used can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the container keeps heat by transferring heat generated from the heating resistor to the contents of the container through the inner wall of the container, or a heat exchange element between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the container. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to obtain a container that can be kept warm or cool by performing a more positive heat transfer.

  According to the invention of claim 11, the container is a container that can freely switch between the heat retaining and cold retaining functions of the container by switching the direction of power supplied from the power storage element to the heat exchange element by the control unit. There is an effect that it can be obtained.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 12, the container uses a Peltier element as a heat exchange element, so that positive heat exchange can be realized between the inner wall side and the outer wall side of the container, and the movable part is eliminated. There is an effect that a quiet container can be obtained.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the container keeps an appropriate temperature by measuring the temperature of the contents put in the container, and further suppresses wasteful power consumption due to being overheated or overcooled. There is an effect that it is possible to obtain a container that effectively utilizes the.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the container reduces the unintentional movement of heat generated between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the container, thereby enhancing the effect of heat insulation and cooling by the heating resistor and the heat exchange element. And the effect that the container which extended heat insulation and cold preservation time can be obtained is produced.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a container according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory view illustrating the most basic configuration of a container according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the container 1a includes a control unit 11a, a power storage element 12, and a heating resistor 13 inside the container main body, that is, between the outer wall and the inner wall, the lower part of the container, and the like.

  The control unit 11a has a user interface such as a switch. The user can start energization from the power storage element 12 to the heat generating resistor 13 by operating the control unit 11a, and heat the heat generating resistor to heat the object to be kept in the container (heat).

  The control unit 11a can be realized by a microcomputer and a power control element. In addition, equivalent functions can be realized by using individual components such as logic gates and operational amplifiers instead of the microcomputer. As the power control element, a semiconductor element such as a power MOSFET or a bipolar transistor or a mechanical relay can be used.

  Furthermore, an existing technique such as an energization timer function from the storage element 12 to the heating resistor 13 can be added to the control unit 11a.

  As the power storage element 12, an existing battery such as an alkaline manganese battery can be used, and the batteries may be connected in series according to the actual specifications such as the temperature and temperature of the object to be kept.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory view illustrating a configuration example of a container capable of keeping the contents warm and cold. The container 1b shown in the figure has a heat exchange element 14, such as a Peltier element, a power storage element 12, and a controller 11b inside the container body.

  The heat exchange element 14 is arranged so that heat can be exchanged between the contents inside the container (the object to be kept warm / cold) and the outer wall 17 of the container. For example, one of the heat exchange surfaces of the heat exchange element 14 is thermally coupled to the container inner wall 16, and another heat exchange surface is thermally coupled to the container outer wall 17 to form the heat conduction path 15.

  The drive energy of the heat exchange element is supplied from the power storage element 12, but it needs a function of starting heat insulation and cold insulation when the user likes it and stopping the operation when he likes it, which is realized by the control unit 11b. .

  The configuration of the control unit 11b can be realized by a switch, a display mechanism, a microcomputer, and a power control element such as a power MOSFET as a user interface. The container structure shown in this figure can store all the components that realize heat insulation and cold insulation inside the container body, so that the container itself can be made completely waterproof and can be washed like tableware. Is possible.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the control unit 11b shown in FIG. 2, in which an element capable of controlling the heat absorption surface and the waste heat surface is used by changing the direction of the current flowing through the heat exchange element like a Peltier element. It is a figure explaining one method which switches heat insulation and cold preservation in a case.

  In the control part 11b, a drive output is generated using a converter that converts the electric power of the power storage element 12 into a voltage or current suitable for driving the heat exchange element 14, and this is supplied to the heat exchange element 14 through a polarity changeover switch. Switching between heat insulation and cold insulation can be realized by controlling the direction of the current flowing through the heat exchange element 14 using a polarity changeover switch. This switch may be a semiconductor power element driven by a microcomputer or a logic circuit as well as a mechanical switch mechanism.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration in which the container shown in FIG. 2 is further provided with a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the object to be kept warm (cold contents). In the container 1c shown in the figure, the temperature sensor 18 is disposed while keeping thermal coupling with the container inner wall 16, so that the temperature of the object to be kept warm can be grasped, and the control unit 11c realizes temperature control to the target temperature. Is.

  In addition, by performing such control, it is possible to prevent overheating and overcooling, so that useless power consumption can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to expect the effect of extending the heat insulation / cooling time and miniaturizing the apparatus.

  A plurality of temperature sensors 18 may be arranged. In conjunction with switching between the cold insulation and the warming operation, more comfortable control can be realized if the temperature measurement part is placed at the top or bottom of the insulated object.

  Further, by placing the temperature sensor on the container outer wall 17 instead of the container inner wall 16, for example, the container can be kept warm with hot water inside, and the temperature can be controlled to 40 degrees Celsius. Because it is not hot at all, it is possible to realize a container that has been kept warm and safe.

  In this way, the container body has a temperature control means and a power storage element constituted by a heating resistor and a heat exchange element, and by controlling energization to the temperature control means, a commercial power source is not required and it can be anywhere At any time, it is possible to perform heat insulation (heating) and cold insulation (cooling) of the object to be insulated.

  Further, by using an element capable of controlling the direction of heat exchange as the temperature control means, a container capable of switching between heat insulation and cold insulation can be obtained.

  Furthermore, since all the components necessary for heat insulation and cold preservation can be stored inside the container main body, it can be cleaned in the same manner as a normal container.

  Here, in order to further improve the convenience of the container so that the container can be used repeatedly, it is necessary to use a chargeable element (capacitor or secondary battery) as the electricity storage element 12. Accordingly, various configurations for charging the storage element 12 will be described below.

  FIG. 5 shows a method of supplying charging power from the outside. The container 1 d shown in the figure generates charging power from commercial power by the AC adapter 21 and actually supplies the charging power by the connection cable 20 connected to the connector 19. With this configuration, the storage battery can be used repeatedly, and the convenience of the container is improved.

  The container 1e shown to FIGS. 6-1 and 6-2 has the structure which obtains charging electric power with a solar cell. As illustrated in the external view of FIG. 6A, the container 1e includes a power generation element 22 that is a solar cell on the surface of the container main body on the container outer wall 17 side.

  The power generation element 22 generates electric power by applying light, and supplies the generated electric power to the power storage element 12, so that it is possible to use the heat insulating cold container anywhere without depending on the commercial power source. In addition, since all the components for keeping warm and cold can be stored inside the container body, it has a waterproof structure and can be washed like normal tableware.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a container 1f that performs charging by an induced voltage. The container 1 f shown in the figure has a power receiving coil 24 inside the container body, generates an induced voltage by passing an AC magnetic field through the power receiving coil 24, and the obtained induced voltage is passed through the charging circuit 23 to the power storage element 12. In this case, charging is performed while overcharging is protected.

  The alternating magnetic field is generated by the charging unit 27. The charging unit 27 has a power feeding coil 25 and a power feeding circuit 26 therein. The power supply coil 25 is driven by a power supply circuit 26, and the power source thereof may be commercial power, an automobile cigarette lighter socket, or the like.

  The power supply circuit 26 generates an alternating magnetic field from the power supply coil 25 by flowing an alternating current of about 20 KHz to 1 MHz to the power supply coil 25. This is a known switching circuit such as a class E converter, a half-bridge circuit, or a full bridge. By using a circuit, it is possible to generate a magnetic field efficiently.

  Of course, the feeding coil 25 may be driven by a constant current circuit, and an AC signal such as a sine wave may be input as the current setting value of the constant current circuit. In the non-contact power supply using the above AC magnetic field, it is necessary to positively limit the drive of the power supply coil when the storage battery is fully charged or there is no container. This means can also be realized by a known technique.

  By charging with non-contact power supply using an AC magnetic field in this way, all the components that realize heat insulation and cold storage can be stored inside the container body, so the container has a waterproof structure and is washed like normal tableware be able to. In particular, by using energy transmission by an alternating magnetic field, there are no restrictions on the design and design of the external appearance, so that it is possible to realize a container with high added value.

  FIGS. 8-1 and FIGS. 8-2 are explanatory drawings explaining the general | schematic structure of the container 1g which performs charge by an ultrasonic wave. As shown in FIG. 8A, the container 1g includes a transducer that converts mechanical vibration of the piezoelectric element 29 and the like into electric energy, and converts ultrasonic energy coming from the outside into charging energy.

  The electric power generated from the piezoelectric element 29 is charged to the power storage element 12 through the charging circuit 28, so that it is possible to efficiently charge by protecting the overcharge or performing impedance conversion.

  Specifically, as shown in the image diagram at the time of charging shown in FIG. 8B, the ultrasonic generation unit 30 is used and the ultrasonic generation unit 30 is operated in a state where the container 1g is immersed in the ultrasonic transmission solvent 31. Then, the electrical storage element 12 inside the container can be charged.

  Here, if an ultrasonic cleaner is used as the ultrasonic generation unit 30 and a cleaning liquid is used as the ultrasonic transmission solvent 31, the electricity storage device 12 can be charged at the same time as cleaning the container 1g, thereby further improving convenience. Can do.

  FIGS. 9-1 and FIGS. 9-2 are explanatory drawings explaining the general | schematic structure of the container 1h which performs charge by a microwave. As shown in FIG. 9A, the container 1h includes a power receiving element 33 that collects and rectifies microwaves in the main body, and converts microwave energy coming from outside the container into charging power.

  As the power receiving element 33, for example, a rectina can be used. Charging power generated in the power receiving element 33 is charged into the power storage element 12 through the charging circuit 34, so that the battery can be efficiently charged while preventing overcharge of the storage battery.

  Specifically, as shown in the image diagram at the time of charging shown in FIG. 9-2, if a heat insulation target is put in a container and microwaves are irradiated by a microwave generator 35 such as a microwave oven, the heat insulation target is heated. And the storage battery in the container can be charged simultaneously.

  In addition, since the charging energy can be received in a non-contact manner, the container has a waterproof structure and can be cleaned like a normal container.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration in which charging power is obtained by a fuel cell. The container 1i shown in the figure includes a fuel cell 41 and a fuel tank 39 inside the container body, a fuel inlet 38 for supplying fuel to the fuel tank 39 from the outside, and a fuel supply from the fuel tank 39 to the fuel cell 41. It has a valve 40 for controlling the amount.

  With this configuration, it is possible to generate charging power for the electricity storage element 12 inside the container 1i, and it is possible to keep warm and cool at any time and anywhere. The fuel cell 41 can be used as long as it operates at about room temperature, such as a direct methanol type, PEFC, or boron hydrate.

  Further, since a gas such as carbon dioxide and a liquid such as water are discharged from the fuel cell 41 and a gas containing oxygen needs to be taken in from the outside, the ventilation fan 37 used for heat supply and waste heat of the heat exchange element 14 is required. Air supply / exhaust may be performed through the air supply / exhaust port 36.

  As described above, the container according to the present invention has a temperature control means and a power storage element constituted by a heating resistor and a heat exchange element inside the container main body, and controls energization to the temperature control means, A portable / portable container can be obtained that does not require a commercial power source and can perform heat insulation (heating) or cold insulation (cooling) of an object to be kept anywhere at any time.

  Furthermore, by charging a chargeable power storage element by solar power generation, electromagnetic induction, ultrasonic waves, microwaves, or the like, it is possible to repeatedly perform heat insulation and cold insulation.

  Note that the configuration shown in this embodiment is merely an example, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 11, a heat insulating structure is provided inside the container body in order to enhance the heat insulation and cooling function of the container.

  Specifically, the container 1j insulates between the container outer wall 17 and the container inner wall 16 with the heat insulation structure 50, and provides the heat insulation structure 51 in the lower part of the container to perform the heat insulation in the downward direction.

  As described above, by restricting the heat transfer between the object to be kept warm and the outside of the container only to the heat exchange element and the heating resistor, the effect of keeping warm and cool can be improved more efficiently. At the same time, the operation time can be extended by the power storage element and the power storage element can be downsized.

  As the heat insulating structures 50 and 51, those that prevent heat conduction, radiation, and convection, which are three heat transfer elements, are used. For example, a resin such as polystyrene foam or a vacuum heat insulating structure can be used. The heat insulating structure itself can use existing technology.

  As described above, the container according to the present invention is effective for keeping the contents warm and cold, and is particularly suitable for temperature control in a portable or portable container.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the basic composition of the container which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the container in which heat insulation and cold preservation are possible. It is explanatory drawing explaining the control part 11b shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container provided with the temperature sensor. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container charged with an external power supply. It is an external view of the container charged with photovoltaic power generation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the container charged with photovoltaic power generation. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container charged by electromagnetic induction. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container charged with an ultrasonic wave. It is explanatory drawing explaining the specific example of the charge by an ultrasonic wave. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container charged with a microwave. It is explanatory drawing explaining the specific example of the charge by a microwave. It is explanatory drawing explaining the container charged with a fuel cell. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structure of the container at the time of providing a heat insulation structure.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1j Container 11a-11j Control part 12 Power storage element 13 Heating resistor 14 Heat exchange element 15 Heat conduction path 16 Container inner wall 17 Container outer wall 18 Temperature sensor 19 Connector 20 Connection cable 21 AC adapter 22 Power generation element 23 Charging circuit 24 Power receiving coil DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 25 Power supply coil 26 Power supply circuit 27 Charging unit 28 Charging circuit 29 Piezoelectric element 30 Ultrasonic wave generation unit 31 Ultrasonic transmission solvent 33 Power receiving element 34 Charging circuit 35 Microwave generator 36 Ventilation fan supply / exhaust port 37 Ventilation fan 38 Fuel injection port 39 Fuel tank 40 Valve 41 Fuel cell 50, 51 Thermal insulation structure

Claims (14)

Power storage means for storing electric power;
Temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the contents using the electric power stored by the power storage means;
Energization control means for controlling energization to the temperature control means;
A container characterized by comprising:   The container according to claim 1, further comprising a charging unit that charges the power storage unit and charges the power storage unit with electric power.   The container according to claim 2, wherein the power storage means is a secondary battery and / or a capacitor.   The said charging means has a receiving coil, The charged electric power produced in the said receiving coil with the alternating current magnetic field applied from the power feeding coil outside a container is charged to the said electrical storage means. container.   4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the charging unit includes a piezoelectric element, and ultrasonic vibration that has been introduced from the outside of the container is converted into electric power by the piezoelectric element to charge the power storage unit.   4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the charging unit includes a power generation element, and microwaves external from the container are converted into electric power by the power generation element to charge the power storage unit.   The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the charging means is a solar cell, and the light that strikes the container is converted into electric power to charge the power storage means.   The container according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the charging unit is a fuel cell, and the generated electric power is charged in the power storage unit.   4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the charging unit is directly connected to an external power source to acquire power for charging the power storage unit. 5.   The container according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the temperature control means is a heat generating resistor or a heat exchange element that exchanges heat between the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the container.   The container according to claim 10, wherein the heat exchange element can switch a direction of the heat exchange, and the energization control unit further controls the direction of the heat exchange.   The container according to claim 11, wherein the heat exchange element is an element using a Peltier effect.   The temperature acquisition means which acquires the temperature of the said content is further provided, and the said electricity supply control means controls the said electricity supply using the temperature which the said temperature acquisition means acquired. Container according to one.   14. A heat insulating structure is provided between a container inner wall and a container outer wall, and the heat insulating structure suppresses heat transfer other than temperature control by the temperature control means. Container.

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